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NAMM 2006 Show News25 Years of Ambient Music
In 1978, most people were listening to disco. The Village people had a hit with "YMCA" and Donna Summer with "Last Dance". The disco era was in full bloom, and fringe hits were things like Jimmy Buffet's "Cheeseburger in Paradise", or "Werewolves of London", by Warren Zevon. Against this backdrop, Eno's quiet, meditative Music for Airports came out. Music for Airports is a sound sculpture, designed to be ignored as much as listened to. It has no easily discernable rhythm, and no hummable melodies. Yet 25 years later, ambient music has grown to be a busy category of music, and countless musicians name Eno and his ambient music as an inspiration. Ambient 1 is simply one of the most important pieces of electronic music ever created. Music for Airports created a new genre, ambient music, that has grown to be a popular and influential style. What is Ambient Music?Eno places ambient music as an alternative to Muzak. Eno felt that Muzak had created music that was so lightweight and derivative that it had effectively eliminated environmental music as a subject for composer's attention, or for that of serious listeners. His use of the term "ambient music" was to create a distinction between his music and the canned background music that was available at the time. Most importantly, Eno wanted to make music that would support reflection and space to think. Eno did this by creating music that was beautiful, but did not have a center of focus to demand your attention. In his liner notes, Eno puts it this way: "Ambient Music must be able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting." Classics of Ambient MusicStarting in the late seventies, Eno released of series of 4 works, Ambient 1-4, that defined the genre.
Since these four important ambient pieces, much of Eno's work has been in the ambient style. His colloboration with Harold Budd, The Pearl, is another collection of beautiful piano pieces. The Pearl is a lush, dark classic. Neroli is minimal, thinking music. Each of his more recent ambient works stakes out new territory for ambient music. Eno's work has inspired many other musicians, and many artists have released music that falls into the ambient category. Planetary Unfolding is an 1980 piece by electronic composer Michael Stearns. This release mapped out the world of space music, a category that often overlaps with ambient. Planetary Unfolding was created using modular synthesizers, but used in a completely different way than synthesists of the early seventies, like Wendy Carlos or Isao Tomita, were using them. The album is a constantly evolving set of soundscapes that evoke ideas of space, and shifting through space. Steve Roach's 1984 release, Structures from Silence, is a minimal electronic album that shows the influence of German musicians such as Tangerine Dream, in addition to Eno. This recording is an evolving soundscape that features slow sequenced synth melodies that evolve and mutate throughout the piece. The music is relaxing and quiet.
In the early 90's, ambient music began to evolve into more mainstream styles. The Orb's Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld is a great example of pop ambient music. It mixes dance rhythms, samples, psychedelic music and sound collage to create a new style of ambient. This double album covers a lot of territory, and helped bring ambient music to millions of listeners that might not have otherwise heard of it. Now, ambient music is more popular than ever. There are many artists, working in a variety of styles, that are influenced by Eno's idea of ambient music. Many styles have grown out of ambient, including ambient space music, ambient techno, ambient electronica, ambient acoustic music, and dark ambient. Synthtopia Ambient Music Reviews302 Acid - 0005 Even CallsTuesday, July 19, 2005Even Calls is an exciting and intense collection of electronic jam-band ambient music. Alpha Wave Movement - A Distant SignalFriday, January 07, 2005The latest CD from Alpha Wave Movement, A Distant Signal, is a great collection of tracks in the tradition of classic space music. Alpha Wave Movement - Beyond SilenceSaturday, November 19, 2005Beyond Silence is the latest CD from electronic/ambient artist Alpha Wave Movement. The album is a set of modern electronica instrumentals, infused with the sounds and forms of classic synth music. Alpha Wave Movement - Drifted Into Deeper LandsSunday, March 05, 2006Alpha Wave Movement is one of the recording guises of synthesist Gregory Kyryluk. Kyryluk invokes the synth gods on Drifted Into Deeper Lands, and has put together a great CD that is a must-have for fans of ambient, synth, and space music. Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works, Volume 2Sunday, January 11, 2004Fans of Aphex Twin's harder side will be surprised by this collection of dark ambient music. On this classic release, Aphex Twin explores moody, even scary, electronic soundscapes. Ashok Prema - MatterMonday, December 12, 2005Matter captures a live electronic music concert by Ashok Prema and Rob Jenkins from 2002. The music ranges from atmospheric, ambient tracks to more driving and melodic sequence-driven ones. Asura - Lost EdenSaturday, July 31, 2004Lost Eden, the latest CD from Asura, blends dance, trance, ambient and world music elements into a musical gumbo. Boards of Canada - GeogaddiWednesday, March 24, 2004With Geogaddi, Boards of Canada continue in the style they defined on their debut album, Music Has the Right to Children. This oblique, psychedelic pop electronica has no immediately catchy tunes or hooks, but if you give it a chance, it will seep into your head nonetheless. Brannan Lane - Piano Dreams and NightscapesThursday, November 18, 2004Piano Dreams and Nightscapes, the latest CD from electronic/ambient musician Brannan Lane, is one of the most relaxing and lovely ambient CDs released this year. Brian Eno - Ambient 1: Music for AirportsMonday, December 15, 2003Ambient 1 is simply one of the most important pieces of electronic music ever created. On Ambient 1, Eno set out to create something new, music that could be ignored as well as listened to. He succeeded wildly, and spawned a generation of imitators, inspired by the timeless beauty of Music for Airports. Brian Eno - Ambient 4: On LandSunday, November 23, 2003This is the last recording in Brian Eno's seminal Ambient series, and after 20 years, it still sounds beautiful and disturbing. Brian Eno - NeroliMonday, February 23, 2004Neroli oil comes from the white blossoms of the bitter orange tree, and is an expensive pale yellow oil used in fragrances. Neroli is also the name of a 1991 ambient work by Brian Eno that is as exotic and ethereal as the fragrance. Brian Eno/Harold Budd - Ambient 2: The Plateaux of MirrorWednesday, December 03, 2003Imagine Eric Satie piano pieces played in an underwater parking garage, and you'll have some idea of what to expect from this classic album. Brian Eno/Harold Budd - The PearlMonday, February 23, 2004Brian Eno first collaboration with minimalist composer Harold Budd, Ambient 2: Plateau of Mirror, was a groundbreaking classic of ambient music. Budd and Eno created beautiful soundscapes, haunted by melancholy piano themes. There second CD, The Pearl, is even more beautiful. Brian Eno/Laraaji - Ambient 3: Day of RadianceWednesday, December 17, 2003Day of Radiance is an excellent addition to Eno's series. Ambient 3 staked out new territory and new emotions for ambient music. The music is happy, even blissful, while remaining reflective and timeless. These pieces serve as an important counterpoint to the darker and sometimes disturbing music of Ambient 4. Bruno Sanfilippo - IntroTuesday, October 17, 2006InTRO is the latest CD from Bruno Sanfilippo, an Argentinean composer and musician now living in Barcelona, Spain. BT - This Binary UniverseFriday, November 10, 2006This Binary Universe , a CD/DVD combo from BT, is one of the most interesting and affecting releases, in any genre, of the year Cluster - First Encounter Tour 1996 LiveFriday, March 19, 2004This live release from Cluster captures performances from around the United States, including New York, Portland, Chicago and Phoenix. The pieces are each named after the location where they were performed. The music is a collection of mellow, drone-based ambient work. Craig Padilla - GenesisTuesday, February 14, 2006The tracks are all long explorations of ambient synth textures, with an emphasis on attractive, harmonious sound. David Wright - ContinuumFriday, July 30, 2004With Continuum, David Wright has released a beautiful work of melodic space music that recalls classic electronic music of the seventies and eighties. David Wright - The Tenth PlanetSunday, August 20, 2006The Tenth Planet is the latest CD from synth artist David Wright, and captures the music from two live planetarium performances that he did earlier this year. Dean de Benedictus - Salvaging the PastSunday, March 05, 2006On this release, Benedictus deftly mixes a wide variety of sounds, ranging from the clearly synthetic to the acoustic sounds of cello, drums and voice. ES Posthumus - UnearthedThursday, July 14, 2005ES Posthumus debut CD, Unearthed, is a collection of world orchestral dance electronica, not foo far from the territory pioneered by groups like Enigma and Deep Forest. E.S. Postumus manages to top both these predecessors with convincing orchestral writing, dynamic percussion work and creative synth work. gaudi:testa - 1105 ContinuumSaturday, April 29, 2006gaudi:test 1105 Continuum brings together the electronic soundscapes and grooves of Gaudi with the organic sounds of Antonio Testa. Ian Boddy - ElementalSunday, December 24, 2006Elemental is a very imaginative ambient release that deftly mixes elements from 30 years of ambient electronic music. Janoush Moldau - RedeemerTuesday, July 19, 2005Redeemer, a new release from Janosch Moldau, is a classy release, with gorgeous packaging, intelligent songwriting and creative electronic production. Jean Michel Jarre - OxygeneWednesday, January 28, 2004Jean Michel Jarre was one of the first generation of synthesists to break through to broad public appeal. His pioneering work on Oxygene captures the style that he would refine on future albums. It also has a unique place for many fans, because it was one of the earliest albums of synth music to capture the imagination of listeners around the world. Jimmy Van M - Balance 010Thursday, November 30, 2006Balance 010 is a three disc compilation that explores a different world of electronica with each CD. Disc 1 explores ambient and downtempo tracks; Disc 2 picks things up a little with midtempo tracks; finally, Disc 3 moves into uptempo progressive electronica. Kinder Atom - Soft Hand FeelThursday, November 30, 2006The latest release from Kinder Atom, Soft Hand Feel, is a nicely packaged collection of quirky ambient/downtempo electronica tracks. Martin Ayres - CelloshereSaturday, July 09, 2005Ayres music is modern electro-acoustic music that explores ambient soundscapes. Miles MacMillan - FutureworldMonday, January 08, 2007Futureworld, the latest CD from Miles MacMillan, features melodic synth music in the tradition of Jean-Michel Jarre and early eighties Tangerine Dream. Moby - HotelFriday, April 15, 2005Hotel, the latest CD from Moby, is a two-cd set that delivers some of the most intimate work that he has ever done. Mychael Danna - SkysSunday, December 07, 2003This is a set of minimal tone poems that feature instruments combined with electronic arrangements. These pieces won't leave you humming memorable melodies, but if you like new age minimalism, you'll find yourself playing this often. Paul Avgerinos - GnosisThursday, January 11, 2007Gnosis, a new CD from composer Paul Avgerinos, explores meditative and mystical moods. Peter Gabriel - PassionSunday, April 18, 2004Peter Gabriel has been tremendously influential in promoting musicians from around the world. His work with WOMAD and Real World Music has brought sounds of the world to millions of listeners, and even more significantly, to the ears of the world's musicians. His music for The Last Temptation of Christ, a film by Martin Scorsese, mixes electronics with middle-eastern rhythms and instrumentation, fusing the elements to make music that is timeless. Return of the Permanent WaveFriday, July 09, 2004Ready to go Back in Time? Silver Plastic Records has something for fans of eighties-style synth-pop with its compilation album Return of the Permanent Wave. The CD features tracks from 10 artists that are creating new music that draws on elements of classic synthpop. Rhythmicon - Feedback MachineTuesday, January 03, 2006Feedback Machine is a mini-CDR release of experimental electro-acoustic music. The three tracks on Feedback Machine combine synth, saxophone, theremin and extensive electronic processing. Richard Bone - Serene Life of MicrobesMonday, January 01, 2007The latest release by Richard Bone, Serene Life of Microbes, is a tranquil dark ambient release that blurs the lines between electronic music and ambient sound. Robert Rich - Calling Down the SkySaturday, April 23, 2005Robert Rich's latest CD, Calling Down the Sky, captures a 2003 concert performance. The CD documents a house concert Rich performed in Denver, Colorado. Robert Rich - Inner LandscapesSunday, April 04, 2004This release captures ambient space music improvisations from a 1985 concert by Robert Rich. The eight tracks showcase a variety of ambient environments that explore different moods and sound, while also blending together into a 73 minute soundworld. Robert Rich - PropagationSaturday, January 17, 2004Propagation is a deep ambient album featuring music that explores the idea of life spreading itself. Robert Rich submerses you in a soundscape that has an organic and primitive electronic feel. Robert Rich and Steve Roach - StrataSaturday, February 14, 2004Two of the masters of ambient music released this ambient space music classic in 1991. The CD brings out the best of both of their styles, the ambient soundscapes of Roach, and the electro-acoustic murkiness of Rich. This is a great colloboration that is equal to anything released by either of the two artists. SourceCodeX - Codex HypnosWednesday, February 18, 2004Codex Hypnos, the debut release of SourceCodeX, explores ambient spaces somewhere between music and chaos. This release is a treat for fans of experimental electronica and dark ambient music. Spies Under Von Magnet Influence - Shape Your ShadeTuesday, June 20, 2006Shape Your Shade is an unusual but interesting EP that draws on a variety of influences, ranging from ambient to classical Indian to flamenco.
Steve Roach - Distant SignalsThursday, January 27, 2005Places Beyond is the fourth release by Steve Roach that collects what he calls his lost pieces. By the fourth collection, how good can these "extras" be? Steve Roach - Light FantasticThursday, January 22, 2004The theme of this cd is refraction, the idea that a wave of light can pass into various forms, and change into a radiant display. The combination of tribal percussion, sequences, and Roach's synth washes make this an interesting example of dark ambient music. Steve Roach - Mystic Chords & Sacred SpacesTuesday, December 28, 2004Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces is one of Steve Roach's most challenging and rewarding releases to date. Steve Roach - Structures from SilenceSunday, January 11, 2004On this classic of ambient space music, Steve Roach uses sequencers driving quiet synthesized melodies to create a sense of timeless spaciousness. Steve Roach - World's EdgeSunday, March 14, 2004This 1992 release is complex ambient music at its best. The music has a mystery and edge about it, even a little uneasiness. The double-cd collection of dark ambient music is one of the finest works Roach has released, and is a classic piece of ambient electronic music. Steve Roach & Roger King - Dust to DustMonday, May 24, 2004Dust to Dust blazes a new trail for Steve Roach. On many of his albums, he has explored integrating electronically generated sounds with acoustic percussion and didgerido to create tribal electronica. On Dust to Dust, he collaborates with guitarist Roger King to create music inspired by the dreams and memories of the people that have lived in the American West. Steve Roach and Kevin Braheny - Western SpacesTuesday, March 09, 2004This 1987 release was inspired by the landscapes of the American Southwest. Both Roach and Braheny enjoy the freedom and wildness of the California wilderness, especially the Mohave Desert. This inspired the music on CD, which has become a classic ambient space album. The Orb - The Orb's Adventures Beyond The UltraworldSunday, January 11, 2004The first album from The Orb had a distinctive sound when it was released. It mixed ambient music with downtempo grooves, creating a pop ambient style that has helped move ambient music into the mainstream. Thought Guild - [context]Wednesday, October 27, 2004The latest CD from Thought Guild, [context] is an exciting retro-synth CD that showcases their talent for creating live electronica and an extensive knowledge of classic synth music. Vangelis - OceanicSunday, April 18, 2004Oceanic is a collection of tone poems with Ocean themes. On this 1996 release, Vangelis creates a soothing 50 minute journey through deep oceanic spaces, sounding a bit like a Hearts of Space show. The new age music showcases his wonderful ear for melodies and lush synthetic orchestration, but does not have the edge or sense of experimentation that marks his best work. Various - komposi003Friday, April 28, 2006komposi003 is the third compilation from Positron! Records, and features tracks from Aizome, Amish Rake Fight, Atomica, Bounte, Micronaut, Milkfish, s.sturgis, and Scanalyzer. Various - Perfecto Chills Vol. 1Thursday, May 20, 2004Perfecto Chills Volume 1 is a chill-out collection that brings together some popular downtempo tracks and a some cool tracks by less well-known artists. The two-CD set captures the current sound of chill-out, including both instrumental and vocal tracks. Various - Pure Chill OutThursday, April 15, 2004This beautifully packaged compilation brings together some of the best chill out tracks from some popular names, like Moby and Fila Brazillia, and some unfamiliar names, like Nitin Sawhney and Phobos. Pure Chill Out is a good introduction to the chill out genre, a pleasant compilation and a overview of many interesting artists. Ambient Music SitesHearts of Space1/10/2004Hearts of Space began as a radio show in the seventies, and then moved to public radio in 1983. For the last twenty years, HOS has been a leader in the worlds of new age, ambient and space music. Soundclick12/24/2003Miss MP3.com? Then check out Soundclick. It offers streaming audio and free music downloads from well-known artists and unsigned bands. Steve Roach1/10/2004One of the pioneers of ambient electronic space music, Steve Roach has been creating innovative soundscapes for nearly thirty years. His site explores his prolific output, and lets you sample his meditative electronica. Search for ambient music with the Ebay Auction Finder! Recent Electronica NewsBrian Eno To Score Spore1/16/2007Brian Eno is reported to be working on the soundtrack for the Will Wright video game, Spore. Ueberschall Intros Scoretrax Royalty-Free Music Library1/14/2007Ueberschall has announced the release of SCORETRAX, a royalty free music library for Video, Film, Flash, TV, Advertising, Animation, Games, Music on hold, Multimedia, Education, Broadcast and Website Producers. Ueberschall Intros Liquid Trumpet1/14/2007Ueberschall Liquid Trumpets are loop-based construction kits (480 licks) adding over 1000 add-on licks and phrases (jazz, funk, pop, soul, afro cuban, buena vista, bebop and electronica).
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In 1978, Brian Eno released an album of music titled 
Richard D. James, better known as Aphex Twin, released a CD in 1994 called 